Former captains Sam Adams and Jack Dixon have headed the exit queue. So have regular full backs Jake Elliott and Kane Penn, midfielder Ryan Worrall and forwards Ben Pope and James Hull. Goalkeeper Louis Rogers and central defender Alex Brefo were said to be undecided on their respective futures at the time of going to press, but are also expected to quit. Loan players Joe Gbode, David Smith and Kasim Aidoo have returned to parent clubs.

There’s a rather shorter list of those who are staying with newly appointed manager Paul Barnes. Craig Stone has become his assistant, with Oli Black, Finn O’Mara, Tom Chalmers (assuming recovery from his cruciate ligament injury), Knory Scott and Freddie Legg also retained. Juniors Kian Moynes, Finley Chapman and Alfie Peacock are added to the roster on the club’s Facebook page.

Barnes has worked as a football coach and administrator for around 17 years, serving as a development officer within the Chelsea FC Foundation and then as head coach at Westminster School. He’s still based at Greenwich University and, with his pedigree in youth training, has presumably been hired to make best use of the young talent coming through the academy at Hastings. 

His previous experience in management roles at adult football clubs has been limited, however, with successive short stints within the last six years at Ashford United, Greenwich Borough, Welling United, Staines Town, Guildford City, Redhill and Dulwich Hamlet. He was head coach at Dulwich for most of last season, but was sacked in March after a ten-match spell in which the team lost nine and drew one (they were eventually relegated). How will he cope at Pilot Field? Time will tell.

Hastings United came within a couple of minutes of a notable FA Cup scalp last Saturday, only to concede a 30-yard belter in added time and then lose in the subsequent penalty shoot-out. Opponents Ebbsfleet United, playing two tiers higher in the Vanarama National League South and with home advantage, were trailing 2-1 to goals by Kenny Pogue and Sam Adams before a late strike by Ben Chapman from a half-cleared corner brought the equaliser.

Sam Adams
PICTURE: Scott White

With no extra 30-minute period to be added, and no replay, the match then went virtually straight into penalties. Ebbsfleet, who had earlier scored from the spot for the opening goal after a handball by Craig Stone, converted all four in the shoot-out. Ben Pope netted his kick for the ‘U’s, but Ryan Worrall and Tom Chalmers both failed.

The match was played without spectators because the ban which affects all games in the Premiership and English Football League also extends to National League grounds. Ironically, if Hastings had been drawn at home, they would have been allowed a gate of up to 400 at Pilot Field, as in the previous Cup-tie a fortnight ago when they beat Chesham United. 

Most (of the few) who witnessed the contest felt that Hastings deserved an outright win on chances created

On the other hand, the ‘U’s did have the advantage of playing a team for whom this was their first competitive match of the season. The National League had, up to a few days before, insisted that their clubs could not afford to start the season unless either the ban on spectators was lifted or they were otherwise compensated for the lack of gate receipts. Just in time, the government were persuaded to offer a general compensation package that allowed the tie, like others, to go ahead. 

Jake Elliott 
PICTURE: Scott White

One consolation for ‘U’s manager Chris Agutter was to see his side score two goals, both from open play, for the first time this season after three successive 0-0 draws. The first was notched by veteran striker Kenny Pogue, surprisingly preferred to Pope in the starting line-up, after a shot by Ollie Black was blocked; the second by captain Sam Adams from a cross by Jake Elliott.

Most (of the few) who witnessed the contest felt that Hastings deserved an outright win on chances created. They now need to turn this form into league success, starting at Haywards Heath in a fixture to be played this evening (Tuesday). 

Hastings United 1, Whyteleafe 0

Hastings have made a solid start to their league season: two home wins, two away draws, only three goals scored but none conceded. The 1-0 victory last Saturday at Pilot Field over previously unbeaten Whyteleafe puts them up to fourth in the BetVictor Isthmian south-east division, with a gap in the league schedule now until 15th September. Tomorrow (Saturday) they entertain Isthmian Premier side Worthing in the FA Cup. 

Especially gratifying has been the performances of new recruits Craig Stone, Jake Elliott and Ben Pope. Stone has already formed a very dependable partnership with Gary Elphick in central defence. Elliott, in the right back position vacated by Jamie Fielding, is not only adding height and athleticism to the back line but also showing enterprise going forward. It was his lofted pass to Pope that opened up the Whyteleafe defence for last Saturday’s only goal. 

The new number nine has scored all five of the ‘U’s’ goals so far (three league, two cup), and on this occasion finished consummately over the goalkeeper’s despairing dive. Credit also, though, to last season’s leading scorer Daniel Ajakaiye, now largely exiled to the flanks but full of running throughout and deserving his selection by the sponsors as man of the match. 

Sam Adams (in white)
PICTURE: Scott White

Most supporters will be saddened by the news that Sam Cruttwell will no longer be strutting his stuff in a Hastings shirt. Whether positioned as midfielder, left back or centre-back Cruttwell was the class performer of the team – strong in the air, able to drift past opponents with the ball at his feet, play the precise killer pass or on occasion burst the back of the net. His 30-yard cracker against Cray Wanderers at Pilot Field in March, described by Agutter as “the best goal I’ve seen in three or four years”, was no fluke. 

But clearly there have been issues. Agutter had made remarks during the season referring to problems in training. It also seems that Cruttwell wanted to have greater involvement in the sport of futsal (indoor football), in which local club Sussex Futsal compete in the National Super League. Nevertheless Agutter says on the United website that he was offered a new contract.  “I can advise that Sam Cruttwell was offered a new deal at the Club which would also of allowed him to officially pursue his Futsal interest but he chose not to take up the Club’s offer.”

Others departed include former first choice goalkeeper Charlie Horlock, defenders Jahmal Howlett-Mundle and Sinn’Kaye Christie, and forwards Hassan Ibrahiym and Jordy Mongoy, all of whom have found, or can expect to find, welcomes at a similar level elsewhere.  However, former academy players Tom Climpson and Jamie Fielding have negotiated upward career moves. Climpson will be heading for the USA on a college scholarship. Fielding, who was a fledgling in the pecking order only 12 months ago but enjoyed a storming second half of the season at right back, has been signed up by League Division Two side Stevenage Town. He was not under contract with United, so the Hastings club will not apparently receive any transfer payment, and must make do with the boost which the deal should give to the reputation of the academy.

Of those players reported as staying, there remains speculation that, for some, this status may not last until August when the new season starts. Midfielder Adam Lovatt had trials with several league clubs last year without attracting a firm bid, but will surely remain in the shop window. Strikers Daniel Ajakaiye (34 goals last season) and Davide Rodari (sidelined with a cruciate injury until the last few games, but back in apparent full health now) are others with good prospects of upward mobility. The club will not stand in their way, and would in each case receive a fee for contract release.

Among players coming in are Jake Elliott, a tall right-back recruited from Peacehaven & Telscombe, and Dan Hull, a 6 foot 4 inch centre-back promoted from the academy. With Gary Elphick also re-signing, there shouldn’t be many days on which United defenders will find themselves at height inferiority to their opponents.

Two other players who have re-signed with the ‘U’s, and around whom the team will surely continue to revolve, are midfielders Sam Adams and Jack Dixon. Adams will again be captain, at age 33; Dixon, 28, who swept the board in “player of the season” honours last month, seems equally committed to the cause. “At this stage of my career it was an easy decision for me to make”, the club website quotes him as saying. “I’m a local lad and I very much feel a big part of the project here, the club is definitely moving forward. I think that I have more to give on and off the pitch to help the young talented group of players that we have.”